The Ravens trailed the Chiefs 27-20 when they got the ball back with just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Baltimore pulled off a gutsy comeback despite having no timeouts on the final drive. Lamar Jackson methodically moved the Ravens’ offense down the field and reached the 10-yard line on a 38-yard pass to Rashod Bateman.
From there, the Ravens had three chances to score a potential game-tying or game-winning goal.
They were inches away from getting one, but tight end Isaiah Likely failed to keep his foot in bounds on the final play of the game to keep Baltimore alive.
2024 NFL RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | Defense
Last game between the Chiefs and the Ravens
The Ravens faced a third-and-goal with four seconds left in regulation when Lamar Jackson took over in shotgun formation. He retreated about five yards before heading into the pocket under pressure from Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.
Jackson turned around after advancing three yards before finding another route. He then spotted Isaiah Likely standing in the end zone and fired a dart at his top receiver.
He probably caught the ball and was ruled to have scored a touchdown.
LAMAR TOO LIKELY???
?: #Kickoff2024 on NBC/Peacock
? : Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/vCRoiX08rO— NFL (@NFL) September 6, 2024
However, a look at the replay clearly revealed that the top tight end’s toe went out of bounds.
The Ravens were this close to scoring the game-tying touchdown ?#Kickoff2024 pic.twitter.com/08KjTVFHQZ
— NFL (@NFL) September 6, 2024
of an inch ?#Kickoff2024 pic.twitter.com/TUeV7bxF6z
— NFL (@NFL) September 6, 2024
Time had expired on the game, so once the call was overturned, the Chiefs were hailed as the winners.
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The play capped a grueling stretch for the Ravens. They had three attempts at the end zone before the end of regulation, but they failed to convert.
On the first throw, Jackson knocked Likely down in the left corner of the end zone, and he fell violently out of bounds. He was treated by Baltimore medical personnel and had to leave the game for one play.
The second mistake was the Ravens’ worst. Jackson looked for a receiver but saw Zay Flowers open in the middle of the end zone before firing a throw that went behind the 5-foot-10 receiver who was standing. An accurate throw would have probably been a score.
LAMAR HOW DO YOU MISS IT? pic.twitter.com/IjJEXSaQH7
— Mr. Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 6, 2024
On the final play, Jackson made his most accurate throw, but Likely just couldn’t get both feet down before his toe hit the boundary.
That inch was the difference between the Ravens losing and having the opportunity to try a 2-point conversion for the win.
Still, not all Ravens agreed with the decision being overturned.
“I thought it was a touchdown” Jackson said after the game“I still think it was a touchdown.”